Seven places for amazing photos in Barcelona

Beautiful Barcelona, a historic and artistic seaside city, with its many architectural masterpieces, outstanding art and culture, colourful markets, beautiful beach and stunning food will be something of a wonderland for any photographer. Whether you’re a keen professional photographer or an Instagram enthusiast, Barcelona is definitely one of the most visually attractive and best places for capturing perfect travel photos.

LAS RAMBLAS

No Barcelona travel itinerary is complete without a visit to the most famous street in Barcelona - Las Ramblas, or "La Rambla" if you prefer it in singular form.

This busy and vibrant pedestrian street, with its characteristic rows of trees, is a perfect initial taste of Barcelona city life, and no Barcelona traveller’s Instagram would be complete without getting a pic here.

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Spending an afternoon walking around the promenade you will come across so many unique and interesting opportunities for photography. There is a myriad of colourful stalls, amazing restaurants and wine bars, street performers and friendly locals dotted along this famous Barcelona street.

PALO ALTO MARKET

Located in an abandoned factory, this art and design market is an Instagrammers dream.

The market has a different theme every month. It features a wide range of stalls selling designer and vintage goods, clothes, handmade jewellery and homeware, created by local up and coming artists and designers.

There’s also a variety of delicious street food trucks and live music.

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The stunning location and surroundings of the market really add to the whole artistic theme and experience of Palo Alto Market. The trees, plants and twinkling fairy lights create a beautiful atmosphere and make the market an ideal spot for off the beaten track Instagram photos in Barcelona.

BARCELONETA BEACH

With the perfect juxtaposition of city skyline and coast, Barceloneta Beach is one of the most characteristic images of Barcelona and is a great spot for snapping a travel photo. It’s particularly stunning at sunset when you can capture the dimming light glistening off of the architecture of the skyline, and dancing on the surface of the sea as it paints the water in glowing gold, tinted with a delightful reddish hue. It’s the perfect place to transition from Barcelona’s bright days into the city’s vibrant and exciting nightlife atmosphere.

The beach stretches along 1100 metres of golden sand, with a boardwalk all along it featuring plenty of restaurants, bars, and market stalls and is definitely one of the most popular and beautiful places to visit and photograph in Barcelona.

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A great way to spend an afternoon taking in the whole length of the beach is by cycling along the dedicated cycle track all along the boardwalk. Barcelona Bike tours are available and highly recommended for anyone visiting the city.

VIEW FROM MOUNT TIBIDABO

The sea and beaches are not the only sources of natural beauty to visit in Barcelona. There is also Mount Tibidabo - the highest point in Barcelona.

When you make it to the top of this mountain, you’ll be greeted with breath-taking aerial views of the city and coastline.

The top of the mountain is accessible by the “Tramvia Blau Tram”; a quaint and well-loved blue tram which has been in service since 1901 and is itself a popular attraction to see and photograph in Barcelona too.

There is also an amusement park located at the top of the mountain. The attraction, which is over 100 years old, features colourful and quirky amusement rides which can make an interesting foreground in photos of the view of Barcelona from above.

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PARK GUELL

Beginning in 1900, Park Guell was created after a failed elaborate housing project in Barcelona was transformed into an imaginative and highly creative work of art and an example of Modernist architecture by Gaudi.

It is a public park but has been given UNESCO World Heritage Site status as it’s part of the works of Gaudi. Park Guell is a unique and amazing creative architectural and design feat which showcases a whole other side of Gaudi’s imagination. Don’t forget, you can also join us to learn much more about Antoni Gaudì & his contemporaries on our excellent free Gaudi and Modernism tour in Barcelona.

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Park Guell consists of a colourful array of mosaic and sculpture designs, including a sizable mosaic serpent/dragon which guards the entrance. Also, there are temples, columns and a network of winding pathways throughout the surrounding woodlands. You could spend hours exploring and capturing photos of all of the intricate detail throughout the whole park.

You can also take in the amazing panoramic views of the city from the park and get that perfect photo.

LA BOQUERIA FOOD MARKET

The hustle and bustle of a busy local food market always provide a unique and interesting insight into a city’s culture and people. The vibrant La Boqueria Food Market, located just off the Las Ramblas strip, is a perfect example of this, making it an essential place to visit for foodies and photographers alike.

Spend some time exploring the colourful aisles of La Boqueria and you will discover an array of fresh and vibrant local produce - fresh fruit and vegetables, locally cured meats, cheeses and charcuterie, baked goods, preserves, freshly caught seafood, tapas, wine and more.

It’s truly a feast for all the senses!

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LA SAGRADA FAMILIA

This mind blowing piece of architecture is a top place to see for any visitor to Barcelona. A visit to Barcelona just wouldn’t be complete without getting to see and take a photo of Gaudi’s iconic masterpiece, Sagrada Familia.

The yet unfinished project, Sagrada Familia, was started by Antoni Gaudi in 1883, and today, more than 80 years after Gaudi's death, only about 70% of the Basilica is finished. This should give an idea as to the massive amount of work and immense detail that has gone into creating this breath-taking architectural feat.

The structure is an example of Gothic architecture and it is composed of an incredible array of facades and towers of different sizes. It’s an iconic feature of Barcelona’s skyline and, while undeniably impressive to photograph from a distance, the structure is even more interesting close-up where you can get lost in capturing the intricate and ornate details.

There’s literally a fantastic pic to be snapped, moment to be captured, or story to be shot around every corner you turn in Barcelona, so if you’re one for an Instagram-worthy picture, you’re shutter-happy trigger finger will get a good work-out here. A free walking tour in Barcelona with us local guides is the perfect way to explore the city, and we’re partial to a selfie once in a while too so feel free to have your camera at the ready. Happy snapping!